Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if an SSL certificate is valid?
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Enter the domain name above and click "Check SSL". The tool connects to the server on port 443, inspects the certificate chain, and reports on validity, expiry date, TLS protocol version, and cipher suite strength. Results appear in seconds.
What happens when an SSL certificate expires?
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Browsers display a full-page security warning that blocks visitors from reaching your site. Most people will leave immediately. Search engines may also de-index your pages, and any API integrations using HTTPS will break. Renewals are usually automatic (especially with Let's Encrypt), but auto-renewal can fail silently.
What TLS version should my server use?
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Your server should support TLS 1.3 (the latest and fastest) with TLS 1.2 as a fallback. TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are deprecated by all major browsers and considered insecure. Most modern hosting providers enable TLS 1.3 by default.
How often should I check my SSL certificate?
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At minimum, check monthly. But manual checks are easy to forget. Let's Encrypt certificates expire every 90 days, and auto-renewal can fail without warning. Continuous monitoring is the reliable approach — Scanward checks your SSL automatically and alerts you before expiry.